Jackson Heights Life

In case anyone missed the news a while back. Starbucks pulled out of its lease/contract several months ago

In case anyone missed the news a while back. Starbucks pulled out of its lease/contract several months ago

I read on the Beaudoin Realty blog less than one week ago that the lease was just signed.  I don't see how they could have pulled out of their lease several months ago when it was just signed in November.  But I will admit that all I know is what I read in other places and I have no first-hand knowledge.

http://jacksonheightsblog.com/

I can't believe there has been mere mention of Discount Books!  It was a great mom and pop book store between 77th and 78th st on 37th ave!
The vendor outside of Met Foods nonetheless is great for the neighborhood's quick-fixed interest in literacy.  Until a concrete establishment is constructed, I kill two birds with one stone by shopping for groceries and books in sync. 

I thought this place had been mentioned.  In a previous post, Fishcado said that they maintained a selection of comic books there.  I specifically remember purchasing a paperback of The Godfather for only 25 cents!

The rest of the store was flourished with a variety of books.  You could've found almost anything!

Yep!  That's if you were able to make it to the back by having to climb over the stacks and stacks of books all over the place!  It was like a maze of books, yet wonderfully charismatic!

I loved the place although it would get awkward at times since the couple who owned the store would always be arguing with each other. Its like being invited to a dinner party and the other couple who invited you were having a marital spat. I would say, do you want me to stop by later to pick up my stuff, and they would say DON'T LEAVE!!  You know they accepted you as one of the family when they would yell at you! 

Definitely maze like; I remember they had cellar door like in the Munsters which they had tons of books. They used to have this section in the back which was dedicated to Harlequin books. It was nice place to visit since you always saw the same old faces (more often chatting away with the local eccentrics).

I loved the place although it would get awkward at times since the couple who owned the store would always be arguing with each other. Its like being invited to a dinner party and the other couple who invited you were having a marital spat. I would say, do you want me to stop by later to pick up my stuff, and they would say DON'T LEAVE!!  You know they accepted you as one of the family when they would yell at you! 

Definitely maze like; I remember they had cellar door like in the Munsters which they had tons of books. They used to have this section in the back which was dedicated to Harlequin books. It was nice place to visit since you always saw the same old faces (more often chatting away with the local eccentrics).  - fishcado

fishcado, I remember going in there once and climbing my way through to the back of the store to see what stuff they had deep in the store's dark recesses.  When I made it back to the front, I asked the owner, no one followed me back there.  Aren't you afraid that people may steal stuff?  Her answer was:  "Why?  Are you a thief? Should I be worried?"   - Chuckster

 :laugh:  Oh my!  You both are great!  I feel like I am reliving my encounters with the staff in that store.

I don't think that a Barnes and Noble would be profitable in this area.  English is not the first language for the majority of residents.  I don't think that they would purchase many books in English.

Not necessarily, I hear a lot more english being spoken. Even if the majority still is Spanish speaking, people from Woodside, and other nearby areas would come, being that there are no bookstores which cater to English language readers unless you take a train to Forest Hills, Bayside, etc.  Sure, you can hop on a train and go to Forest Hills, but, it's a walk from the train once you get off.  Plus, hospital employees like to shop and walk around the area, and this would add to the consumers who might shop there.

Another factor to be considered here is that, because many English-speaking residents do not do most of their shopping in Jackson Heights, they have a much smaller presence on the street than their Spanish-speaking counterparts.  Thus, what we see is often a distorted picture. 

I am bi-lingual as the rest of my family is and we completely agree , even being bi-lingual and living in Jackson Heights for well over 16 years i hardly buy anything from the retail scene in the neighborhood, not even the essentials . Also , one has to take in consideration that that demographics in the Historical District is for the most part is different than the rest of the neighborhood. An example is that there are more English speaking residents and college grads for the most part in this section of the neighborhood . Therefore, the needs are different , which, is also the reason that the retail scene is trying to assimilate itself to the current need of this part of Jackson Heights. But, I believe that a Barnes & Noble or a Borders will do great here . Because,the neighborhood has a huge amount of young families and professionals , the less we have to buy away from Jackson Heights the better , also, they can include a well stocked Spanish section and I am 100% positive it the sales will be outstanding . So lets keep our fingers crossed